Learning Objectives:

 Identify the denotative meaning of complex terms.

 Identify the connotative meaning of complex terms.

LESSON
Writers constantly make choices about the
specific words they use. This means that you,
as a reader, have to be aware not only of the
actual meaning of words, but other meanings
that are attached to them, as well. This is also
true when you write.

Recognizing
the denotative and connotative meanings of
words can help ensure that you understand
exactly what an author is trying to say as well
as ensuring that you are saying exactly what
you want to say in your own writing.
The denotative meaning is the literal or
formal meaning of a word. For instance, the
term dog denotes an animal with fur, four
legs, and a tail. But when someone calls
someone else a dog, this does not mean that
the person has four legs and is furry. Instead,
the connotative meaning of the word is used,
which conjures up ideas based on how it is
used in pop-culture or in an overall
metaphorical sense. Connotative meanings
can be either positive or negative; dog can be
a derogatory term meant as an insult, or it
can used in a light-hearted way
meaning friend.

Unless an author clearly defines how a word

or complex term is being used in a reading,
both denotative and connotative meanings
should be considered. In your own writing,
both are acceptable to use, but you must be
aware that people may interpret the word
differently than you intended if you choose a
word that can be read in more than one way.

Because of subtle differences in both

denotative and connotative meaning, be very
careful when you use a thesaurus as you write.
Some of the words listed
as synonyms or antonyms cannot be
switched out equally. Be sure to use a
dictionary to look up the meaning of a word if
you are uncertain of what it means in the
context of the sentence.

Below are some examples of denotative and

connotative meanings of words.

Connotative
Word Denotative Meaning
Meaning

high temperature; extremely

Hot
heated attractive;
 angry

popular;
Cool low temperature
acceptable

absent of life and/or unusually quiet

Dead
animation setting

Chick young bird girl or woman

insane; mentally wild and

Crazy
unstable exciting

Shark predatory fish highly skilled

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